gogodawgs
Campaign Veteran
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State Supreme Court: Internet filters at libraries OK
The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that public libraries can use Internet filters to block content.
By Rachel La Corte
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Public libraries' use of Internet filters to block content does not run afoul of the state constitution, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a 6-3 ruling, the majority said libraries have discretion about which Internet content to allow, just as they decide which magazines and books to offer.
"A public library can decide that it will not include pornography and other adult materials in its collection in accord with its mission and policies and, as explained, no unconstitutionality necessarily results," wrote the majority, led by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. "It can make the same choices about Internet access."
Justices Susan Owens, Charles Johnson, Mary Fairhurst and Gerry Alexander signed on in agreement.
Justice Jim Johnson wrote a separate opinion, agreeing with the majority conclusion but saying the focus of the reasoning should be on scarcity of resources that libraries deal with, which in turn allows them to filter materials they obtain for their collections.
<SNIP>
The ACLU represented three library users and the pro-gun Second Amendment Foundation, arguing the district should be ordered to provide unblocked access to the Internet when adults request it.
<SNIP>
The Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation contends the library district blocked online access to Women & Guns, a magazine it sponsors covering topics such as self-defense and recreational shooting.
State Supreme Court: Internet filters at libraries OK
The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that public libraries can use Internet filters to block content.
By Rachel La Corte
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Public libraries' use of Internet filters to block content does not run afoul of the state constitution, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a 6-3 ruling, the majority said libraries have discretion about which Internet content to allow, just as they decide which magazines and books to offer.
"A public library can decide that it will not include pornography and other adult materials in its collection in accord with its mission and policies and, as explained, no unconstitutionality necessarily results," wrote the majority, led by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. "It can make the same choices about Internet access."
Justices Susan Owens, Charles Johnson, Mary Fairhurst and Gerry Alexander signed on in agreement.
Justice Jim Johnson wrote a separate opinion, agreeing with the majority conclusion but saying the focus of the reasoning should be on scarcity of resources that libraries deal with, which in turn allows them to filter materials they obtain for their collections.
<SNIP>
The ACLU represented three library users and the pro-gun Second Amendment Foundation, arguing the district should be ordered to provide unblocked access to the Internet when adults request it.
<SNIP>
The Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation contends the library district blocked online access to Women & Guns, a magazine it sponsors covering topics such as self-defense and recreational shooting.
NO gun porn for you. Go to the back of the line. LOL
